Charging an electric car at home
Home charging benefits
Added flexibility
Charging at home gives you the flexibility of topping up your battery when you are not using your car. Often this means plugging in overnight and waking to a fully charged battery ready for your next journey. Similar to how you use your mobile phone.
Charging Rates
Some energy suppliers such as our recommended partner Octopus even offer you cheaper rates for charging your vehicle overnight and with Enyaq you can set up a charging schedule that works best for you
Environmental Benefits
Charging your electric vehicle at home during off-peak hours is a win-win situation. When you charge at night or in the early morning, electricity demand is generally lower, meaning less pressure on the national grid. Plus, it's a greener choice with less reliance on fossil fuels. Some smart charging systems can allow you to schedule charging at specific hours, making it super convenient and eco-friendly.
Charging times may vary dependant on which battery you have and the home charging method you use but many electric vehicles can be fully charged overnight.
Home Charging: A step-by-step guide
1. Choose your charging method
All home charging uses AC current but the speed at which you can charge will be impacted by the method you choose. If you plan to regularly charge at home we recommend having a home charger installed to ensure that your charging is as quick as possible.
2. Connect the cable
Home chargers can either be tethered, a cable attached to the unit, or un-tethered where you use the mode 3 cable which comes as standard with your Škoda iV models. Either way the cable should be attached to the charging unit and also to the vehicle.
3. Let the car charge
A green LED light will start to flash to let you know the car is charging. Once you lock your Škoda the charger will lock in place. When the light stops flashing and lights green solidly, the vehicle is fully charged. You don’t need to fully charge your vehicle every time, if you only have time for a quick top up then do what works best for you and your upcoming journeys.
4. Track the charge level
You can see how much your car has charged via the MyŠkoda app. The app tells you both the charge level, how quickly your car is charging and at what rate and estimates how much longer it will take for your car to be fully charged.
AC and DC charging explained
Alternating current (AC) charging is the type of current currently provided by the National Grid. Because of this it’s the most common type of charging found in the public charger infrastructure. AC charging requires a Type 2 plug, which is the same as the plugs you have at home, and a Type 2 charging cable is provided with all our electric vehicles.
Direct current (DC) charging uses a higher voltage and is therefore faster. It’s only available at specialised charging stations usually found on motorways and in car parks at large retailers. All DC chargers are tethered, and your car will need a specialised Combined Charging System (CCS) to take advantage of them.
Home Charging methods explained
3-pin plug or domestic charger
This method of charging is much like plugging in your computer or mobile phone. It uses a 3-pin plug at the end of a charging cable and can therefore be plugged into a standard domestic wall socket. This method of charging is the slowest way to charge your electric vehicle, so we recommend it is mainly for occasional use.
Home charger
A home charger can increase your rate of charge by up to 3 times vs using a domestic 3 pin plug. It is specifically installed for the sole purchase of charging your electric vehicle and can make a very convenient solution for topping up your vehicle when you are not using it.
Future of Home charging – Meet Ohme
Charging your car at home is as easy as charging your phone. Our recommended supplier is Ohme, one of the UK’s leading providers of electric vehicle charging. Their chargers come with market leading features such as smart scheduling, intelligent charging & solar optimisation. Additionally, Ohme can help you find out if you are eligible for any grants* and support you through the application. Explore the options offered by Ohme and choose the charger most suitable for your needs.
Ohme Home Pro
> 7 kW waterproof tethered home charger
> Standard installation starts from £975** (incl VAT)
> Compatible with all Type 2 plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) and all electricity tariffs
> Includes 2G/3G/4G multinet sim card***
> Choose from a 5m cable (included) or 8m cable (optional extra)
> 3-year warranty
> Price includes standard installation
> Control your EV charging via the charger buttons and LCD screen or a trusted app
Ohme ePod
> 7kW untethered home charger
> Standard installation starts from £925** (incl VAT)
> Compatible with all plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) and all electricity tariffs
> Includes 2G/3G/4G multinet sim card***
> Plug in your charging cable and let Ohme find the best charging times for you
> 3-year warranty
> Price includes standard installation
> Charge using portable cable
Get your Ohme smart charger
If you’re in the process of ordering an Enyaq, speak to your retailer as you may be eligible for a free home charger as part of the offer.
Home Charging FAQs
How do I know if I can get a home car charging point?
It is always best to check with your chosen home charger supplier whether your property can have a home charger installed. Our recommended and trusted home charger supplier is Ohme, one of the UK’s leading providers of electric vehicle charging. The home charger offers marketing leading features such as smart scheduling, intelligent charging & solar optimisation.
What is included in home charging installation?
Dependent on which supplier you choose, the items/works included in a standard install may differ, so it is always best to consult your supplier. Our recommended and trusted home charger supplier is Ohme, one of the UK’s leading providers of electric vehicle charging.
Can I install my own electric car charger?
Installation of electrical equipment, such as a home charger, in your home should always be carried out by a qualified professional.
How much will my electric bill go up with an electric car?
This will depend on many factors, for example: how regularly you are charging your vehicle; the amount of charge you put into your vehicle with each charge; the size of your battery; and the amount your energy provider charges you per kWh. Many energy providers now offer EV specific tariffs, which offer cheaper rates of electricity overnight, so you can charge while you sleep when energy usage is often lower.
What does kW mean when talking about home chargers?
Kilowatt (kW) refers to the power rating of a home charge point and is the maximum amount of power that can be drawn from the socket at any one time. A 7kW home charger will charge your car three times faster than a three-pin plug.
Is it possible to charge an electric car every night?
Yes, if you want to. You can manage when your car will charge by creating a schedule in your vehicle so that it only charges at particular times. Alternatively, you can set a maximum level of charge that you wish the charge to get to. In both cases, the car will stop charging when it meets the maximum level you have set or the time limits. If you have access to a DC charger overnight, we recommend you always set the charging target to 80%. This will accommodate most everyday journeys and will protect your battery.
Should you charge an electric car every night?
This is really down to personal choice and may often be dependent on what journeys you have planned for the next day and how much mileage you need to cover. Some EV drivers choose to plug in every night to ensure they always set off with a full battery, others choose to charge once or twice a week to suit their range needs.
Charging accessories
Find out more about our selection of charging accessories.